Section 6. Expenditures of Public Elementary and Secondary Schools: Current Expenditures

Between 2002–03 and 2015–16, increases are expected in the current expenditures and current expenditures per pupil of public elementary and secondary schools (figure L; reference figures 31 and 32 and tables 34 and 35).

Figure L. Actual and middle alternative projected numbers for current expenditures per pupil in elementary and secondary schools in 2003–04 dollars: Selected years, 1990–91 through 2015–16

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NOTE: Data were placed in constant 2003-04 dollars using the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (BLS, U.S. Dept. of Labor).
SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Education, NCES, The NCES Common Core of Data, "National Public Education Finance Survey," various years; National Elementary and Secondary Enrollment Model; and Elementary and Secondary School Current Expenditures Model. (See reference table 34.)

Current expenditures

Current expenditures in constant 2003–04 dollars increased 41 percent from 1990–91 to 2002–03.

From 2002–03 to 2015–16, current expenditures in constant 2003–04 dollars are projected to increase

• 43 percent, to $565 billion, in the middle alternative projections;
• 38 percent, to $546 billion, in the low alternative projections; and
• 51 percent, to $599 billion, in the high alternative projections.

Current expenditures per pupil

Current expenditures per pupil in Fall enrollment in constant 2003–04 dollars increased 21 percent from 1990–91 to 2002–03.

From 2002–03 to 2015–16, current expenditures in constant 2003–04 dollars per pupil in fall enrollment are projected to increase

• 34 percent, to $11,000, in the middle alternative projections;
• 30 percent, to $10,700, in the low alternative projections; and
• 42 percent, to $11,700, in the high alternative projections.